gaolbird
One behind bars
A gaolbird is a person who has been imprisoned, especially one who has served multiple sentences or is regarded as a habitual criminal.
The word uses the British spelling of jail.
It's old-fashioned and somewhat literary: The old gaolbird had spent half his life behind bars.
Also spelled jailbird.
Confined facility resident
- convictJailed offender after trial
- prisonerConfined criminal detainee
- cellblockPrison housing unit
- penitentiaryFacility for convicted criminals
cell · bars · lockup · warden · solitary · detention · sentence · correctional
Serious crime perpetrator
- offenderOne who breaks rules
- convictJailed offender after trial
- recidivistHabitual criminal returner
- lawbreakerOne who commits crimes
culprit · delinquent · wrongdoer · transgressor · outlaw · repeat offender · habitual criminal · ex-con
inmate
Confined facility resident
penitentiary · cell · bars · lockup · warden · solitary · detention · sentence · correctional · reformatory
felon
Serious crime perpetrator
- offenderOne who breaks rules
- convictJailed offender after trial
- recidivistHabitual criminal returner
lawbreaker · culprit · delinquent · wrongdoer · transgressor · outlaw · repeat offender · habitual criminal · ex-con · reformed
con
Argument against
doing time · stretch · bird · porridge · nick · slammer · clink · joint · stir · banged up
gaolbirdinnocent
Free from moral wrong
civilian · parolee · freeman · probationer · first-time offender
gaolbirdhero
One admired for courage
pillar of society · pillar of the community · solid citizen · saint · paragon
jailer, jailbird, jailers, jailbirds, gaoler, gaolers, gaoled